Society

Environmental protection in Kashmir

Working in the shadow of violence and climate change

Illegal construction, timber smuggling and a decades-long conflict have left their mark on the forests of Kashmir. But locals are stepping in to protect the unique nature of their home in the Himalayas. By Furkan Latif Khan
By Furkan Latif Khan
Freedom of speech in the Middle East

Arabs follow fake news, while the dream of progress dies

In the Arab world, freedom of opinion collides with a societal juggernaut that silences imagination with remarkable efficiency. Egyptian author and novelist Khaled al-Khamissi describes the mechanisms of repression in Arab society
By Khaled al-Khamissi
Turkey's failing justice system

Desperate for justice, Turks resort to trial by Twitter

Recently, Twitter has become something of a people's court for Turks seeking justice. Particularly in cases of violence against women and animal rights, social media is regarded as the final legal avenue for those demanding a just ruling, yet the risk of cyber-bullying is high. Ayse Karabat reports from Istanbul
By Ayşe Karabat
Emigrating from Lebanon

Traumatised Beirutis ready to "leave for good"

Since the violent explosion in Beirut in early August, Lebanon has found no peace. Ever more Lebanese want to leave the country. With her bags packed, Cindy Chemaly Cochrane says she no longer wants to live in fear. By Diana Hodali
By Diana Hodali
Thirty years of German unity

Why we all need to celebrate diversity rather than unity

German unity is usually viewed from a purely white perspective – white East Germans reunited with white West Germans. As a result, millions of people from immigrant families feel excluded from the Day of National Unity celebrations on October 3. Ferda Ataman asks: how do we create a more inclusive unity?
By Ferda Ataman
Water shortage in the Maghreb

Climate change and Tunisia's water management challenge

Since independence in 1956, Tunisia has gone to great lengths to mobilise its water resources. Its drinking-water supply rate and the number of households connected to sanitation are the highest in North Africa. But has Tunisia done enough to fend off the challenges posed by climate change? By Raoudha Gafrej
By Raoudha Gafrej
Book review: Michael Muhammad Knight's "Muhammad's Body"

The Prophet, a figure central to Islam's inherent complexities

In his latest book, "Muhammad's Body: Baraka Networks and the Prophetic Assemblage", Michael Muhammad Knight delves deeply into the idea and belief that Muhammad's body has blessed people both during his lifetime and after his death. By Richard Marcus
By Richard Marcus
Palliative care for migrants in Germany

Support at the end of a long journey

Germany is home to 21 million people with a migrant background. Hospices and providers of palliative care are adapting their practices to make them more inclusive. By Christoph Strack
By Christoph Strack
Farewell to a Saudi animal rights activist

"You see me in the eyes of cats, and I see you"

In late August, Twitter was awash with grief and disbelief at the gut-wrenching news of the passing of a man known only by the pseudonym Barg ou Ra'd ("Lightning & Thunder"). Reem Kelani says farewell to a popular Saudi animal rights activist whose identity was revealed only after his passing
By Reem Kelani
Women's rights in Yemen

Making the most of the space available

Yemen's modern history has never seen a coherent and consistent women's movement, but rather temporary and fragmented movements with different priorities, such as women's struggle against human rights violations, and feminists' focus on combating patriarchal tribal structures that discriminated against women. But, writes Afrah Nasser, they all stemmed from genuine concerns for human rights and democracy
By Afrah Nasser
After the fire in Moria

For many migrants, the dream of freedom ends in Lesbos

After the devastating fires in the Moria migrant camp on Lesbos, Muhammad spent days on a sealed-off section of road with thousands of others. His most fervent wish is to leave the island, as Max Zander reports
By Max Zander
Sexual violence in Egypt

Battling against a culture of silence

Two prominent cases concerning gender-based violence – that of Ahmed Zaki, who has been accused by more than 100 women of extortion, sexual harassment, coercion and rape, and that of the gang rape at the Fairmont Hotel in 2014 – have given rise to a new movement fighting sexual violence in Egypt. Paula Al-Bahari has the details
By Paula Al-Bahari